What is the name of your hometown and where did you grow up?
Before the age of 10, Lemoore California, but I grew up in Columbus Ohio
Do you remember the first piece you ever wrote? What was it about, and how did it feel to complete it?
I wrote a piece/poem in the 5th grade called, Time and used horses to convey how time works. It was fun and I believe it won an award, but it was cool to see how at such a young age I could be insightful.
You’ve mentioned that you've worked in various fields. How have these experiences influenced your writing style and the themes you explore in your book?
Sometimes I think it is easier to see where we are not instead of looking back and seeing all that we have experienced and done. Most of the fields I worked in were because I needed a job and I went where opportunity struck. Now I can see how those experiences have not only helped shaped me as a person, but given me an understanding, appreciation for hard work and an openness in my imagination. Those fields have influenced how I listen to the world around me and I believe it’s helped me pay attention to elements that can be often overlooked.
Can you tell us about your journey as a writer and what inspired you to start writing "French Door to Foyer”?
I have been writing for over 25 years - most of my life. For a long time, I mostly wrote for myself and 15 years ago, I started working on more whimsical writing with the use of poetry and prose, and then a few months later I had a traumatic experience that flipped my world upside down. I began using writing as a form of therapy to process what I had experienced and what it had done to me. I had a lot of fear telling me what I could and couldn’t do, so I started doing solo adventures. Around the same time I found a writers group that was a community I so desperately needed and they encouraged me to use my voice. I channeled my rediscovered voice into writing a series of experimental, explorative and expressive compositions that I compiled to form this first book.
What is the significance of the title "French Door to Foyer," and how does it relate to the content of your book?
It’s a play on words. The three main sections follow this theme: Observational, Internal Dialogue and Imaginative Adventure. The idea is that of a person peering through glass French doors as a way of observing; stepping into the foyer signifies entering something new; and exiting the room signifies embarking on new adventures.
Your book is described as a collection of poetry and prose. What draws you to these two forms of expression, and do you have a favorite piece from your collection?
I like to see how far I can stretch my imagination within those styles of writing and I find them to be fun to play around with. Discussing a favorite piece is hard in some ways, since I love all of them which is why I published them. However, I think one of my favorite pieces is, ‘Loose Vertebrae’, because it took me some time to write that piece. I started with the first sentence, ‘Loose vertebrae move like magnetic puzzles pleading for an answer’ and I knew that I wanted it to be something. I had fun playing with it and incorporating image writing which is something I tend to do with short story writing and not usually with poetry.
Could you share a bit about your writing process? Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into the creative mindset?
Other than making the time to do it whether I want to or not, my favorite writing ‘ritual’ is to go out with my headphones or to a venue with live music and write (coffee shops, restaurants, bars, etc).
Traveling seems to be one of your passions. How has your love for travel influenced your writing, and have any specific destinations inspired your work?
It’s given me a curiosity and openness for different perspectives. Experiencing new ways of seeing and doing things should make us more open. I have favorite and not so favorite destinations and I feel like all of them shape my writing. I am thankful and appreciative of the destinations that I did not have great experiences with, because they taught me about myself. It’s in the discomfort that we learn. Of course, the many places that were magical aid me in my whimsical writing just as much. These 9 countries/destinations I have explored are: Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Norway, Israel, Ireland, England and France.
You mention coaching Special Olympics and talking to perfect strangers. How do these interactions with people from different backgrounds and experiences impact your writing and worldview?
I know I keep mentioning being open, but I believe it applies to a lot of things in life. Sometimes I think it can be easy to see things in more of a black and white way of thinking, but life is filled with a lot of gray and people are complicated. Coaching teaches me and reminds me to be grateful and that we all can learn from each other. This also applies to talking with strangers and hearing their stories can be insightful. I enjoy stepping outside of myself.
Being a self-proclaimed food enthusiast, have any food experiences or dishes played a role in your writing or featured in your book?
Yes, but I cannot pinpoint them specifically, but I can say that my love of food is part of the reason I go out and write even when I don’t write about food directly. Thinking about texture and composition with my senses allows me to be descriptive in my writing.
Humor is an essential aspect of your life. How do you incorporate humor into your writing, and why is it important to you as an author?
My great aunt Bertha used to say, “50 tons of shit coming at you everyday”. Life can be hard and humor tends to dismantle walls and allow for deep things to be received. For me as a deep thinker, I appreciate using humor because it allows me to not take myself too seriously as well as speak about dark and heavy topics. For me, storytelling is about conveying real life into entertaining packages to be received and humor is part of that.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers looking to start their publishing journey or seeking to find their unique voice in the world of literature?
Pay attention to the details. Writing is in the details. There is almost too much information out there, but as you’re navigating and trying to figure out how and what you want to do for publishing, be patient with yourself and allow for more time than you anticipate for research and brainstorming.
Lastly, if you could offer one message or takeaway to readers of "French Door to Foyer," what would it be?
Be open. As a poet, I consider myself an abstract writer in some ways and I like the idea of the reader pulling out what they need and want out of my work.
Can you share any upcoming projects or writing endeavors you're currently working on or planning for the future?
I am currently working on 2-3 new book projects with the hopes of publishing 2 next year. One is a second poetry book, the second is a creative non-fiction, and the third is a children’s book.
When did you join AllAuthor? What do you think of the experience so far? Do you have any feedback?
I joined earlier this year. Before I joined, I read a lot of positive reviews about AllAuthor and I am impressed by all that you offer and give to authors. It feels personable.
